Training Tips

The three axes

A student pilot learns that an aircraft is capable of three kinds of motion: pitch, roll, and yaw. Depending on the maneuver, one type of motion may be desirable while another is not. When practicing straight-ahead stall entries and recoveries, for example, increasing the angle of attack is achieved by adding back-pressure, while rudder is used to avoid or correct yaw (thereby preventing a spin). Another case in point: In a sideslipped landing in a crosswind, the aircraft is banked into the wind to offset downwind drift, while the nose is intentionally yawed to keep the aircraft aligned with the runway. Then, before touchdown, pitch is increased to attain the proper landing attitude.

When visualizing (or explaining) these motions of the aircraft, think of your control inputs as inducing aircraft response around an appropriate axis. Take that stall that has begun to progress toward a spin. There is rotation around the vertical axis (sometimes referred to as the yaw axis). That is why applying full opposite rudder (not aileron) is the crucial element of a standard spin recovery.

“The axes of an aircraft are three imaginary lines that pass through an aircraft’s center of gravity (CG),” explains Chapter 4 of the Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge. “The axes can be considered as imaginary axles around which the aircraft turns. The three axes pass through the CG at 90-degree angles to each other.”

The names of the three axes lend clarity to ground discussions of a maneuver. “The axis from nose to tail is the longitudinal axis, the axis that passes from wingtip to wingtip is the lateral axis, and the axis that passes vertically through the CG is the vertical axis,” the chapter explains. “Whenever an aircraft changes its flight attitude or position in flight, it rotates about one or more of the three axes.”

Movement around one or more of the axes is essential to the operating principle of your trainer’s gyroscopic instruments. This Flight Training article explains how those instruments harness gyros spinning in various axes to present information to the pilot.

Does your trainer have a turn coordinator, or a turn-and-bank indicator? Differences in how their gyros are aligned relative to the longitudinal axis give one of them more sensitivity.

Flight Training News

Working group to offer training reforms

A committee advising the FAA on ways to enhance flight safety with improved training and testing materials has established a working group to propose initial revisions and reforms by September 2013, with the aviation-training industry playing a major role in the project. Read more >>

EAA Young Eagles get enhanced training tools

Sporty’s is offering an upgraded version of its online Learn To Fly course available free of charge to youths who participate in the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Young Eagles program. The modular course focuses first on the solo, and then lets users choose whether to pursue a sport, recreational, or private pilot certificate. When they conclude the solo component, all Young Eagles will receive a free first flight lesson voucher from EAA. The association said it will also reimburse the cost of the FAA knowledge test for those Young Eagles who have used Sporty's Learn To Fly course. More than 15,000 young people have already accessed the course, Sporty’s said.

Summit advance registration extended to Oct. 1

The early registration discount for AOPA Aviation Summit Oct. 11 through 13 has been extended to Oct. 1. Register by then to receive special offers and discounts. Read more >>

Thinking about buying an airplane?

Thinking about buying your first airplane? Wondering if ownership is for you? Are other options out there that are more budget-friendly than renting? Bring all your questions to the October Flight Training Facebook chat on Oct. 2 at 3 p.m. Eastern. AOPA Pilot Editor in Chief Tom Haines will discuss the pros and cons of ownership as well as flying clubs and other possibilities. One participant will receive AOPA’s limited-edition “Plane Crazy” T-shirt. To participate in the chat, go to the Flight Training Facebook page and click on the chat link. You can also sign up for an email reminder of the upcoming chat, or view transcripts of previous chats.

Runway rules 101

In order to take off from a runway, the first challenge is knowing how to actually find it. After all, sometimes the most complex part of a flight is navigating an unfamiliar airport. Use the Air Safety Institute’s Runway Safety Flash Cards to better understand runway signage and markings. The front of each card displays an airport sign or pavement marking, while the back provides a description and information on the required pilot action.

Aviation career event slated for Midwest students

An aviation career day aimed at high school students will be held on Oct. 3 at Duncan Aviation’s facility at Lincoln Airport in Lincoln, Neb. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is open to students from Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. Students will get the opportunity to explore careers in aviation and visit with representatives from the FAA, aviation colleges and universities, and others. For more information, see the website.

Training Resources

If you find yourself grounded by weather, your schedule, or other intrusions, you can keep your head in the game by reading every aviation article you can find, or using a desktop simulator to practice basic and instrument flying skills. Research and plan trips to future destinations with AOPA Airports, the association’s airport directory, and the AOPA Internet Flight Planner. Also, be sure to visit the Air Safety Institute home page for free interactive courses, Safety Advisors, quizzes, and a schedule of safety seminars in your area.

Did you know that student pilots who join AOPA are three times more likely to complete their flight training? Membership includes unlimited access to aviation information by phone (800/USA-AOPA, weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time) or from Flight Training Online or AOPA Online. If you’re not already a member, join today and get the pilot’s edge. Login information is available online.

Ask ATC: When to change to ‘standby’

When changing transponder codes, some pilots recommend switching your transponder to standby mode before making any changes. While this procedure helps avoid the possibility of inadvertently entering an emergency code, does this method affect ATC, and is it a good idea? We posed this question to air traffic controllers, and they responded. Listen to ATC’s recommended way of changing transponder codes in this segment of the Air Safety Institute’s Ask ATC. Watch AOPA Live® >>

Career Pilot

American pilots’ contract tossed; maintenance base to close

A federal judge threw out the contract covering American Airlines’ pilots on Sept. 4, clearing the way for the bankrupt airline to reduce its pilot payroll. The Associated Press called the move “a major step toward emerging from bankruptcy” for the carrier that accelerates the Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization that many expect could end in a merger with the US Airways Group. American spokesman Bruce Hicks said that the company still wants to negotiate a new contract with the pilots. The carrier will close its maintenance base at Alliance Airport in Fort Worth, Texas, eliminating nearly 1,110 jobs by mid-December, the Dallas Morning News reported Sept. 10. Work done at Alliance will be transferred to maintenance bases at Tulsa and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, or outsourced. Tulsa, the carrier’s largest maintenance base, will lose 993 jobs.

FAA approves first airline to use iPads in all flight phases

American Airlines announced Sept. 10 that it is expanding its iPad electronic flight bag program after becoming the first commercial carrier to receive FAA approval to use the Apple iPad in the cockpit during all phases of flight. “With this approval from the FAA, we will be able to use iPad to fully realize the benefits of our Electronic Flight Bag program—including improving the work environment for our pilots, reducing our dependency on paper products, and increasing fuel efficiency on our planes,” said Capt. John Hale, American’s vice president—flight. The carrier said an EFB reduces or replaces paper-based reference material and manuals often found in a pilot’s carry-on kitbag. Removing the 35-pound kitbag from each American aircraft will save an estimated $1.2 million of fuel annually based on current fuel prices.

Plane Spotter

Darter Commander: A rare bird that commands attention

When you see one for the first time, you may be tempted to ask the airplane’s pilot why the tail of the Skyhawk is on “backward” (like a Mooney). But a confirmed plane spotter will not be fooled. Just when others on the ramp are scratching their heads, go ahead and explain that this airplane isn’t a Cessna. It’s a rare example of a 150-horsepower North American Rockwell Darter Commander (AC-100-150) built in the 1960s and early 1970s. There are also some 180-hp Lark Commanders still flying, with conventional tails.

CORRECTION: In the Sept. 14 issue of ePilot Flight Training Edition, we incorrectly illustrated the Citabria. The Citabria, as pictured here, can be distinguished from its cousin the Decathlon by a smaller air intake and a more cambered wing.

Training Products

ASA updates multiengine exam guide

ASA’s Multi-Engine Oral Exam Guide has been updated to include the latest regulations, procedures, and technology. The guide uses a question-and-answer format and provides succinct responses to the questions that designated pilot examiners are most likely to ask, according to ASA. Following each question is a reference to the specific FAA source from which the answer is derived. The book can be purchased in soft-cover version at $12.95 or as an e-book at $9.95. See the website to order or call 800/272-2359.

Note: Products listed have not been evaluated by ePilot editors unless otherwise noted. AOPA assumes no responsibility for products or services listed or for claims or actions by manufacturers or vendors.

Member Benefits

Hurricane preparation: Keeping you covered

With hurricane season under way, AOPA members who live or plan to travel in hurricane-prone areas should have a plan to relocate their aircraft in the event of a storm. While developing your plan, check your insurance policy to see if it covers any costs for relocating your aircraft. Some policies cover the cost of hiring an evacuation pilot, and relocating and storing an aircraft. Other policies will reimburse policyholders for relocating their aircraft outside of a hurricane watch or warning area. Read more >>

‘What, me worry?’

Alfred E. Neuman, the gap-toothed icon of Mad magazine, wasn’t a pilot. “It will never happen to me, so why should I worry?” We pilots don’t approach our flights in such a cavalier manner. And, as Dr. Jonathan Sackier points out, we should treat our health in the same fashion: by planning, preflighting, and staying ahead of problems. Read more >>

Blogs

Dumb things pilots have done, Part I

In more than 20 years of flying, professional pilot Chip Wright has seen his share of goofs from the pilot community. In part one of a two-part blog, he tells the Flight Training blog some of his favorites, including a Cessna 152 pilot who tried to leave but couldn’t, and an airline captain who left when he shouldn’t have.

One step closer

Student pilot Kristen Seaman passed her private pilot knowledge test with flying colors. She shares her strategy for effective studying and earning a high score in the Let’s Go Flying blog.

Community

Picture Perfect

AOPA’s online photo gallery allows you to upload your own aviation photography as well as view, rate, and comment on others’ photos. Your favorite aviation images from AOPA Pilot are still available online through this new gallery. Take a look, and submit your own photos!

AVIATION EVENTS & WEATHER

Want something to do this weekend? Planning an aviation getaway? See your personalized online calendar of events. We’ve enhanced our calendar so that with one click you can see all of the events listed in the regions you selected when personalizing ePilot. Now you can browse events in your region to make planning easier. You can also bookmark the personalized calendar page to check it as often as you want. Before you take off on an adventure, make sure you check our current aviation weather provided by Jeppesen.

Final Exam

Question: I obtained my private pilot certificate with single-engine airplane privileges and would now like to add the multiengine airplane rating to my certificate. Which part of the FAA regulations would I need to comply with?

Answer: Because you have already met the basic 40-hour requirement for the private pilot certificate, you would not be required to go through these same requirements again for the multiengine rating. The regulation to review and comply with is FAR 61.63(c). This regulation requires the applicant to obtain flight training from an authorized instructor to become proficient for the FAA practical test. Although there are not any specific hour requirements, FAR 61.39(a)(6)(i) states that applicants must have received training within two calendar months preceding the month of application in preparation for the practical test. A knowledge test is not required. For more on additional ratings and endorsements, see AOPA’s subject report.

Instrument Tip

IFR Fix: Navigating a legacy

There used to be a high-time flight instructor around here, a real old-school character, sharp as a tack landing a taildragger on the grass in a crosswind, but out of his element navigating and flying in the system. So a lot of ears perked up when he radioed approach one morning to report that he was “five miles east of the VOR, tracking inbound.” Had Captain Rustic gone techno? Nothing of the kind. Those cone-in-a-circle VOR installations made fine visual checkpoints, he explained at a later time. Read more >>

Mark Scheuer was tired of yelling at his wife across the noisy cockpit of their Grumman Yankee, and he thought there had to be a better way of communicating. PS Engineering Inc. was born out of that necessity and is now celebrating its third decade of forging new ground in cockpit communication technology.